Interbody cervical cage implantation into cadaveric model of the ram spine: biomechanical tests

Objective. To evaluate the biomechanical properties of biodegradable poly-L-lactide cages on a cadaveric model of the cattle cervical spine. Material and Methods. Prototypes of interbody cervical implants were developed on the Ender 3v2 3D printer. The mechanical characteristics of experimental cage specimens were evaluated, and the orientation of the specimens during 3D-printing was investigated. Single-level cervical discectomy with fixation by a cage made of poly-L-lactide was performed in 12 cadaveric models. Biomechanical tests of the operated vertebral segment were carried out under cyclic loading conditions. Results. In this type of testing, the developed cervical cage models demonstrated high deformation stability under compression load, and the absence of deformation and migration in static and cyclic tests. Conclusion. The development of biocompatible biodegradable cervical cages is a promising direction in medicine. Given the high rate of postoperative complications associated with migration and subsidence of cages made of non-resorbable materials, biodegradable implants may become a competitive analog for cervical segment fixation.